IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/plo/pgph00/0002097.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Towards sustainable emergence transportation system for maternal and new born: Lessons from the m-mama innovative pilot program in Shinyanga, Tanzania

Author

Listed:
  • Belinda J Njiro
  • Jackline E Ngowi
  • Linda Mlunde
  • Castory Munishi
  • Ntuli Kapologwe
  • James T Kengia
  • Linda Deng
  • Alice Timbrell
  • Wilson J Kitinya
  • Bruno F Sunguya

Abstract

Maternal mortality comprises about 10% of all deaths among women of reproductive age (15–49 years). More than 90% of such deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). In this study, we aimed to document lessons learnt and best practices toward sustainability of the m-mama program for reducing maternal and newborn mortality in Tanzania. We conducted a qualitative study from February to March 2022 in Kahama and Kishapu district councils of Shinyanga region. A total of 20 Key Informant Interviews (KII) and four Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted among key stakeholders. The participants included implementing partners and beneficiaries, Community Care groups (CCGs) facilitators, health facility staff, drivers and dispatchers. We gathered data on their experience with the program, services offered, and recommendations to improve program sustainability. We based the discussion of our findings on the integrated sustainability framework (ISF). Thematic analysis was conducted to summarize the results. To ensure the sustainability of the program, these were recommended. First, active involvement of the government to complement community efforts, through the provision and maintenance of resources including a timely and inclusive budget, dedicated staff, infrastructure development and maintenance. Secondly, support from different stakeholders through a well-coordinated partnership with the government and local facilities. Third, continued capacity building for implementers, health care workers (HCWs) and community health workers (CHWs) and community awareness to increase program trust and services utilization. Dissemination and sharing of evidence and lesson learnt from successful program activities and close monitoring of implemented activities is necessary to ensure smooth, well-coordinated delivery of proposed strategies. Considering the temporality of the external funding, for successful implementation of the program, we propose a package of three key actions; first, strengthening government ownership and engagement at an earlier stage, secondly, promoting community awareness and commitment and lastly, maintaining a well-coordinated multi-stakeholder’ involvement during program implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Belinda J Njiro & Jackline E Ngowi & Linda Mlunde & Castory Munishi & Ntuli Kapologwe & James T Kengia & Linda Deng & Alice Timbrell & Wilson J Kitinya & Bruno F Sunguya, 2023. "Towards sustainable emergence transportation system for maternal and new born: Lessons from the m-mama innovative pilot program in Shinyanga, Tanzania," PLOS Global Public Health, Public Library of Science, vol. 3(6), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pgph00:0002097
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002097
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0002097
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0002097&type=printable
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002097?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bossert, Thomas J., 1990. "Can they get along without us? Sustainability of donor-supported health projects in Central America and Africa," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 30(9), pages 1015-1023, January.
    2. Thaddeus, Sereen & Maine, Deborah, 1994. "Too far to walk: Maternal mortality in context," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 38(8), pages 1091-1110, April.
    3. repec:plo:pone00:0063846 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Gayen, Kaberi & Raeside, Robert, 2007. "Social networks, normative influence and health delivery in rural Bangladesh," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(5), pages 900-914, September.
    2. Lídia Farré, 2013. "The Role of Men in the Economic and Social Development of Women: Implications for Gender Equality," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 28(1), pages 22-51, February.
    3. repec:plo:pone00:0155144 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Lillian Whiting-Collins & Florina Serbanescu & Ann-Beth Moller & Susanna Binzen & Jean-Pierre Monet & Jenny A Cresswell & Michel Brun & on behalf of the World Health Organization’s MDSR Reporting and , 2024. "Maternal death surveillance and response system reports from 32 low-middle income countries, 2011–2020: What can we learn from the reports?," PLOS Global Public Health, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(3), pages 1-17, March.
    5. Toledo Romani, Maria E. & Vanlerberghe, Veerle & Perez, Dennis & Lefevre, Pierre & Ceballos, Enrique & Bandera, Digna & Baly Gil, Alberto & Van der Stuyft, Patrick, 2007. "Achieving sustainability of community-based dengue control in Santiago de Cuba," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(4), pages 976-988, February.
    6. Kusuma, Dian & Cohen, Jessica & McConnell, Margaret & Berman, Peter, 2016. "Can cash transfers improve determinants of maternal mortality? Evidence from the household and community programs in Indonesia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 10-20.
    7. Deribe Assefa Aga & N. Noorderhaven & B. Vallejo, 2018. "Project beneficiary participation and behavioural intentions promoting project sustainability: The mediating role of psychological ownership," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 36(5), pages 527-546, September.
    8. Sushma Rajbanshi & Mohd Noor Norhayati & Nik Hussain Nik Hazlina, 2021. "Perceptions of Good-Quality Antenatal Care and Birthing Services among Postpartum Women in Nepal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-13, June.
    9. Weitzman, Abigail, 2017. "The effects of women's education on maternal health: Evidence from Peru," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 1-9.
    10. Sara Rivenes Lafontan & Johanne Sundby & Hege L. Ersdal & Muzdalifat Abeid & Hussein L. Kidanto & Columba K. Mbekenga, 2018. "“I Was Relieved to Know That My Baby Was Safe” : Women’s Attitudes and Perceptions on Using a New Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitor during Labor in Tanzania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-12, February.
    11. Benjamin M Hunter & Sean Harrison & Anayda Portela & Debra Bick, 2017. "The effects of cash transfers and vouchers on the use and quality of maternity care services: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(3), pages 1-37, March.
    12. Kasperi Kilpi & Soorej Puthoopparambil & Rejina Gurung & Honey Malla & Omkar Basnet & Ashish KC, 2025. "Association of international remittance with satisfaction and utilization of maternal healthcare services in Nepal: A secondary analysis of two cohort studies," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 37(1), pages 51-67, January.
    13. Habtamu Tolera & Tegegne Gebre-Egziabher & Helmut Kloos, 2020. "Using Andersen’s behavioral model of health care utilization in a decentralized program to examine the use of antenatal care in rural western Ethiopia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, January.
    14. Matsuoka, Sadatoshi & Aiga, Hirotsugu & Rasmey, Lon Chan & Rathavy, Tung & Okitsu, Akiko, 2010. "Perceived barriers to utilization of maternal health services in rural Cambodia," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(2-3), pages 255-263, May.
    15. Hirose, Atsumi & Borchert, Matthias & Niksear, Homa & Alkozai, Ahmad Shah & Cox, Jonathan & Gardiner, Julian & Osmani, Khadija Ruina & Filippi, Véronique, 2011. "Difficulties leaving home: A cross-sectional study of delays in seeking emergency obstetric care in Herat, Afghanistan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(7), pages 1003-1013.
    16. Kibballi Madhukeshwar Akshaya & Siddharudha Shivalli, 2017. "Birth preparedness and complication readiness among the women beneficiaries of selected rural primary health centers of Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, August.
    17. Nicholas Apreh Siaw & Samuel Kwofie, 2016. "Assessment of the Effects of the Free Maternal Health Policy on Maternal Health: A Case Study of New Juaben Municipality, Koforidua, Ghana," International Journal of Business and Social Research, MIR Center for Socio-Economic Research, vol. 6(7), pages 52-62, July.
    18. Nancy A Scott & Taryn Vian & Jeanette L Kaiser & Thandiwe Ngoma & Kaluba Mataka & Elizabeth G Henry & Godfrey Biemba & Mary Nambao & Davidson H Hamer, 2018. "Listening to the community: Using formative research to strengthen maternity waiting homes in Zambia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, March.
    19. Souha El Khanji, 2022. "Donors’ Interest in Water and Sanitation Subsectors," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(2), pages 611-654, April.
    20. Nyaaba, Albert Apotele & Ayamga, Matthew, 2021. "Intricacies of medical drones in healthcare delivery: Implications for Africa," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    21. Tanser, Frank & Gijsbertsen, Brice & Herbst, Kobus, 2006. "Modelling and understanding primary health care accessibility and utilization in rural South Africa: An exploration using a geographical information system," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(3), pages 691-705, August.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:plo:pgph00:0002097. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: globalpubhealth (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.